Current and former black applicants had argued that state agencies for decades have favored whites in interview and hiring decisions. Their case was based on statistics that suggest blacks received fewer interviews and jobs than whites at some agencies and social science research contending that Americans subtly favor whites over blacks.

District Judge Robert Blink dismissed the case two years ago, finding the plaintiffs didn't prove their allegations.

All seven justices agreed Friday that Blink's decision should stand.

Justice Brent Appel says the plaintiffs failed to challenge specific employment practices as discriminatory. He says they failed to prove that the state's record-keeping was too incomplete to analyze for bias.